John Leslie Puntney
John Leslie Putney, for many years was one of the leading agriculturists of Wells Township, Jefferson County, Ohio. He was born December 2, 1841, on the old Puntuey farm of 131½ acres near New Alexandria, Ohio, and died May 9, 1897, on the old home farm.
The Pimtney family is of French extraction and originally spelled the name Puntenney. John Puntney, the father of our subject, came to Jefferson County, Ohio, from Virginia, and settled in Wells Township on the old Puntney farm, which the Kirkwoods first purchased from the government, the Puntneys buying from them, and his death occurred on this farm. His marriage with Charlotte Clayton resulted in the following issue: Sarah, who is the widow of James Clayton; Stephen; James; Eliza, who married William Armstrong (deceased); Elizabeth, who was tlie wife of James Snell; Josephine, who married Albert Graham (deceased); John L., the subject of this record; Ellen, who is the widow of Philip Trainer; Bethan, who was the wife of Taylor Elliott. The only survivors of this family are: Mrs. Sarah Clayton and Mrs. Ellen Trainer.
John Leslie Puntney grew to maturity on the old home farm, which he helped to clear, and when young went to the gold mines of the West, where he was moderately successful. He owned a claim, which was located on the present site of Helena, Mont., but this he abandoned to return to his father's farm, where he lived with his widowed mother for many years afterward. After the death of his mother he purchased the home farm from the heirs and engaged in farming here until his own death. The old six-room brick house, which is on the farm, was built in 1843, by his father, and was made from brick and lime produced on the home farm. Mr. Puntney, with others, was the owner of a grain elevator at Remington, Ind., his interest in this having been disposed of by his widow. Mr. Puntney was a staunch Democrat. In fraternal circles he was prominently identified with the I. O. O. F., having taken his last degree at Columbus, Ohio.
On March 16, 1886, Mr. Puntney was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Oursler, who was born near Rome, Ohio, a daughter of Judge Henry Oursler, formerly of Adams County, Ohio, and of their union were born three children, Charlotte E., Emmett Leslie, and Claude D. Mrs. Puntney received her education in the public schools of Adams County, Ohio, and at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. She then taught two terms in her home district, and since the death of her husband has proved herself a capable business woman in the management of her farming interests.
Judge Henry Oursler, father of Mrs. Puntney, was born August 11, 1820, in Huntington Township, Brown County, Ohio, and was the youngest of seven children born to his parents. His father came to Ohio from Maryland, and his mother from Washington, Kentucky, and in 1795 they located in Huntington Township in what is now Brown County, but then known as Adams County. Here he was reared and attended the district schools. He also took a course in English grammar and surveying from a local surveyor of Brown County, and at the age of twenty-three had qualified as a surveyor. He spent the year 1839 working in a saw-mill, and in 1840 was elected a captain in the militia and served in that capacity several years. In 1850 he was appointed deputy surveyor of the Virginia Military District for Adams County, and served in that capacity until the office was abolished. He was admitted to the bar in 1855 and served as justice of the peace and township trustee. He was formerly a staunch Democrat and was elected and served as clerk of Green Township, county recorder and auditor of Adams County. In 1861, not satisfied with the Democratic party he became identified with the Republicans, and in 1863 was elected probate judge of Adams County, resigning from that office in 1865. Judge Oursler has often represented the Republican party at the district conventions. He was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Puntney, a daughter of James Puntney, and they reared a family of five children. Since the death of Mr. Puntney, Judge Oursler had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Puntney, acting as an advisor and companion to her three children. While at the advanced age of ninety years, the Judge is still hale and hearty, with the appearance of a much younger man, and is looking forward to his 100th anniversary, which he hopes to celebrate in 1920. He had been a member of the Christian church since 1848.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910